Ron Bartell brings down Lions running back Kevin Smith, again well short of 20 yards. Smith has delivered just two of the so-called "explosive plays" coach Jim Schwartz is pleading for. His longest run is 31 yards. (Robin Buckson/The Detroit News)
Allen Park
Kevin Smith was drafted by the Lions to be the running back of the future.
The Lions saw Smith as a durable, multi-dimensional back they hoped would be a staple in Detroit for years.
After all, consider his numbers at Central Florida:
But after 1 1/2 NFL seasons, the question has to be asked:
Is Kevin Smith the answer at running back for this team?
"We need to get more out of our run game, particularly when teams take advantage or try to take advantage of our ability on the outside part of the field and take those plays away," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "All our running backs need to find a way to get some more."
Smith's 976 rushing yards last season, fans believed, were just a result of a pass-happy offense. Maybe, some thought, the low total also was a product of a rookie trying to get acclimated to the NFL.
But midway through his second season, Smith:
Schwartz has been pleading for "explosive plays" from his backs. But Smith, Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown have failed to deliver the big runs of more than 20 yards.
"To get those type of runs you have to break tackles and I guess I'm not breaking any tackles to get those explosives," Smith said. "Hopefully they'll come. I have to just keep on working."
Smith picked up his longest rush of the season, a 31-yard scamper, against Seattle last week, but before that had just one rush for at least 20 yards.
So, do the Lions have to look for another big-play option at running back this offseason?
Probably.
But Smith does have a role.
He has great hands, and leads the team with 26 receptions. He's a strong runner and can grind out tough yards, a perfect complement to another player with big-play capabilities.
Just look at what Chris Johnson's 4.2 speed is doing in Tennessee. Johnson is a threat every time he touches the ball. He leads the league with 959 yards and has five runs of 48 yards or more.
Cunningham wants change
The Lions has been on the wrong end of a few roughing-the-quarterback calls this season.
"That's why I'd like to get on the competition committee," Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said.
"I was part of the Kansas City deal where Bernard Pollard put (Tom ) Brady out. Bernard was getting tackled and he's fighting for his life to get back there (to the quarterback) and hooks his leg. Their guy is on top of him, and then it's our fault. ... We have to live by the rule, and it's tough to swallow that rule sometimes."
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By the numbers
4 Lions quarterbacks who have thrown five INTs in a game this decade (Matthew Stafford, Jon Kitna, Ty Detmer, Joey Harrington)
110.9 Vikings' passer rating season record, set by Daunte Culpepper in 2004
300 Consecutive games Brett Favre will have played in should he play, as expected, Sunday against Detroit
Easy pass
Two of the highest quarterback completion percentage games in Vikings history have come against the Lions:
| Player | Percent | Comp./Att. |
| Brett Favre at Detroit (2009) | 85.2 | 23-27 |
| Randall Cunningham at Tampa Bay (1998) | 84.0 | 21-25 |
| Fran Tarkenton vs. Seattle (1976) | 83.9 | 26-31 |
| Wade Wilson vs. Detroit (1988) | 80.0 | 28-35 |
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